KBR Mustang Close-Up: "Sierra"

Mustang Close-Up

Sierra

Danny, Diane and Sierra

In early January, 1998, we received an email from Mentor Jan Tofting about a mustang which had been abandoned at the barn where she boards. Jan had cared for the mare since her owners had dropped out of sight, but since the stable owner was planning to get rid of the horse as "abandoned property," she was concerned that the horse end up in a good home. With the cooperation of the stable owner, she and a couple of other concerned parties saw that the mare's feet were trimmed, that she was wormed and that she got some attention until things could be worked out.

I put out a notice on the wildhorses list server and Diane Johnson agreed to take the horse. Diane already had two mustangs but was willing to provide a good home to this mare. She and her husband Danny picked up the horse and brought her by the ranch so we could work with her before finishing the trip home.

Diane's first Ride

Sierra and "cousin" CJ

Snack Time

When Sierra arrived, she was a bit clingy and uncertain. However after working with her for only a few minutes, she became more confident and comfortable. She seemed to understand that nobody intended to hurt her and while she had some difficulty bending, she appeared willing and sound.

We saddled her up. At first she would pin her ears and threaten to nip, however we had her "take two" whenever she acted bitchy and pretty soon she was standing like a lady. We did the usual drill with flapping the stirrups, jumping around her, wiggling the saddle, etc. As soon as she would stand comfortably for those activities, we cinched the saddle tight and mounted up.

After about 45 minutes of riding, we took her to the tie pole and clipped her bridle path and muzzle, performed some minor farriery work among other things and she quickly settled in to whatever we approached her with. When we clipped and read her freeze-mark we discovered that she was from the same area as Corey and CJ.

Vital Statistics

Foaled: 1992 / Mare

Herd: Nye County #54 (Nevada)

Owner: Danny and Diane Johnson

Present Location: Calif.

Email Diane and Danny at johnsons@inreach.com

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